KTM sprung a surprise by introducing a limited edition track-only fully faired sportbike in the RC 8C. Based on the KTM 890 Duke R, only 100 units of the RC 8C will be manufactured and sold globally. It is a purpose-built machine and lightweight and KTM says that it will give the owners of riding a model that comes very close to being an actual race-bike. The motorcycle has been developed by KTM with the help of KTM Factory Racing Team and Kramer Motorcycles, a US-based manufacturer.
Also Read: KTM Teases New Track-Only Sportbike
(The KTM RC 8C gets the same 889 cc parallel-twin engine as the KTM 890 Duke R)
The motorcycle is built on the same platform as the 890 Duke R but gets MotoGP style carbon Kevlar reinforced GRP bodywork which includes aerodynamic winglets. The race-spec 25CrMO4 steel frame is built by hand too. The bodywork gets a quick release mechanism as well. Under all of that, is the 889 cc LC8 parallel-twin engine which makes about 126 bhp and 101 Nm of peak torque. The engine is paired to a six-speed gearbox. The motorcycle weighs a total of just 140 kg, which makes for solid power-to-weight ratio.
(The bodywork is made of carbon fibre and so are the MotoGP style winglets)
Being a track-only motorcycle, it gets a premium cycle parts in the form of WP suspension, lightweight Dynamag alloy wheels, race-spec brakes and so on. Up front, the bike gets 43 mm WP APEX PRO 7543 closed cartridge forks. The fork also boasts zero hydraulic stroke limitation, meaning riders can continually control the damping properties. At the rear is a WP APEX PRO 7746 monoshock with preload adjuster which can be adjusted to suit all riders, and almost any situation by means of separate high and low-speed compression and rebound settings. The alloys are shod with Pirelli Super Corsa 1 race slicks.
(The KTM RC 8C gets race-spec suspension which is adjustable at both ends)
Coming to the brakes, the KTM RC 8C gets Brembo Stylema brake callipers gripping twin 290 mm discs. At the rear is a Brembo two-piston calliper with a 230 mm floating disc mounted on the hub. The KTM RC 8C is also fitted with a Brembo 19RCS CORSA CORTA radial master cylinder, which features a host of innovations, with many of the technical solutions adopted drawn directly from the master cylinders used in MotoGP. The most significant being that riders are able to set up the 'bite point' exactly where they want it, with an easily accessible selector on the top of the master cylinder itself.
In addition to all the exotic bits, KTM also offers an AIM MXS 1.2 Race dashboard and data logger with GPS. The system is paired with the 5-inch TFT display. The unit can be paired with a laptop and the race data can be analysed later.
